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Miliband holds meeting in Lebanon | Miliband holds meeting in Lebanon |
(about 5 hours later) | |
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has held talks with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh over the future of the Middle East. | British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has held talks with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh over the future of the Middle East. |
Arriving in Beirut, Mr Miliband said it was "time to push for a comprehensive resolution" to the region's troubles. | Arriving in Beirut, Mr Miliband said it was "time to push for a comprehensive resolution" to the region's troubles. |
On Wednesday, he is due to hold talks with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. | |
Earlier, he met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus - the first British politician to do so since 2001. | Earlier, he met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus - the first British politician to do so since 2001. |
Speaking afterwards at a joint news conference, Mr Miliband said Syria could play a "constructive role" in bringing stability to the Middle East. | Speaking afterwards at a joint news conference, Mr Miliband said Syria could play a "constructive role" in bringing stability to the Middle East. |
Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Mua'allim said that Iran also had an important contribution to make. | Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Mua'allim said that Iran also had an important contribution to make. |
"We believe that good ties with Iran will help the bring security and stability to the region," he said. | "We believe that good ties with Iran will help the bring security and stability to the region," he said. |
Mr Miliband told reporters gathered at Beirut's international airport that the UK was "very committed" to the "vision of a peaceful Middle East". | Mr Miliband told reporters gathered at Beirut's international airport that the UK was "very committed" to the "vision of a peaceful Middle East". |
"Now is the time to push for a comprehensive resolution," he said. | "Now is the time to push for a comprehensive resolution," he said. |
The foreign secretary also announced that Lebanon's president would visit the UK next spring. | The foreign secretary also announced that Lebanon's president would visit the UK next spring. |
Earlier in his tour, Mr Miliband travelled to Israel and the West Bank, holding meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. | Earlier in his tour, Mr Miliband travelled to Israel and the West Bank, holding meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. |
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